Musical Ethnography of The Dallas Symphony Orchestra

INTRODUCTION

This ethnography takes a look at the music culture of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO). This is a culture that is unique within the DFW area in its repertoires, its venues, and in many of the practices contained in it. Like many symphonies, it also has a distinct culture when compared against other symphonies across the nation, and hopefully this post can show you a little about the tastefully initialed DSO and what sets them apart.

METHODOLOGY

To do the research for this paper, I primarily utilized three sources. One was the DSO’s website (www.dallassymphony.com). It is a great resource on the symphony, containing everything from their schedule to information about the venues and the symphony’s various outreach programs. It is a great resource not just for research but for any of you out there looking for more information. I also attended a concert on March 3 at the Morton Meyerson Symphony Center in downtown Dallas. This show, and the time before it, were awesome examples of the culture and provide most of the basis for this ethnography. Finally, I talked with several of my fellow concertgoers while at the event. In many cases they were able to answer some questions that the event itself posed and provided a first-person insight into the culture.

ASPECTS OF MUSIC CULTURE

Ideas About Music

One of the key elements of the DSO culture is the idea that the presentation of the music is as important as the sound of it. Watching the performers up on stage, one notices how disciplined and synchronized they are; all the members of their respective sections move and play with perfect synchronization, which creates a visually aesthetically pleasing aspect to the performance. This emphasis on a disciplined and ‘neat’ presentation can also be seen in the concertgoer etiquette. While many cultures have unwritten rules, the DSO actually has written ones such as no cell phones or cameras, no arriving late, and the requirement of appropriate dress (Dallas Symphony Orchestra Website). Not only that but they are strictly enforced; the ushers did not hesitate to mandate the removal of electronic devices anytime they saw someone with them out in order to maintain the integrity of the performance (The Music of Pink Floyd). Finally, the discipline is extended to the music performance itself. Music is performed according to preset guidelines, and there is no space given for improvisation by the performers except for some predetermined occasions. One interesting note is that this etiquette is somewhat flexible based on the music being played. For example, at my concert there were many in attendance who did not regularly attend the symphony but were huge Pink Floyd fans, and so there was a lot of applause not only after each song but even during songs- a big etiquette violation which drew some disapproving looks from regulars, but no usher reprimands. According to one fellow concertgoer I talked to, it is not unusual for the patrons to be held to different standards for less classical performances, especially those that take place during the week (Attendees of Concert).

Repertoires

Despite what one would think, the DSO actually has a very broad repertoire that extends across many types of music. They do play the Western Classical fare that you would expect, but they also play everything from jazz to opera to popular music- the last few concerts have included works from Rachmaninoff, Buddy Holly, and Wynton Marsalis. The concert I went to featured them playing Pink Floyd’s hits with a guest vocalist, and the guest musician is crucial to the repertoires. Anytime the symphony plays a type of music which requires something other than their normal complement to play (vocalist, electric guitars, etc.), a guest vocalist is brought in- you can see just how frequent this is by looking at their upcoming performance schedules (Dallas Symphony Orchestra Website). Repertoires are largely determined by the personality of the music director. Since taking over in 2008, director Jaap van Zweden has attempted to “enhance its programming and…outreach” (Dallas Symphony Orchestra Website). This is evident in concerts such as the Pink Floyd show, and his determination of the repertoire provides the DSO with a character unique from other national symphonies.

Activities Involving Music

The central activity of the DSO is undoubtedly the performance; it is the unifying event that brings together all members of the culture. However, the performance activities extend beyond the physical playing of the music. There is a restaurant in the Meyerson that many attendees visit prior to the concert to begin the social experience. Even if patrons choose not to eat there, the pre-show atmosphere is built for socialization. At my concert there was a piano playing constantly in the atrium before the show, with wine and dessert bars everywhere. There were many tables in the ample atrium for patrons to sit at and socialize, and plenty of space for those who wished to stand and chat (The Music of Pink Floyd). Interestingly, while people are allowed to view the rehearsals in a separate area, concertgoers are not allowed in the hall until 15 minutes prior to the start of the concert- people who try will be ejected (as I found out!). This forces a social situation as there is nothing else to do but hang out in the lobby and socialize. Despite this though, there is a low amount of inter-group socialization- people tend to stay within the circles they already know (The Music of Pink Floyd). A final important aspect of the performance is the intermission, which can last anywhere from 15-30 minutes. During this time people again can and do socialize.

One key element of the performances is the use of light as a signal. Culture members know that when lights go down, they need to return to the hall as the performance is about to start. Conversely, a raising of the lights in the hall means it is ok to applaud, time for an intermission, or acceptable to talk again. It is not explicitly mentioned anywhere I could find, but most attendees seemed to pick up on it pretty quickly.

Another unique thing about the DSO performance in particular is the proximity of the Meyerson to other Arts District venues such as the Dallas Museum of Art. According to one patron I spoke to it is not unusual for patrons (especially on weekends) to visit not just the symphony but the surrounding attractions all in one visit. This makes the symphony performance for them extend from just a musical event to an entire cross-genre art experience, and is something that is unique to Dallas.

Material Culture

One of the central elements of the material culture of the DSO is the dress of those in attendance. Symphony etiquette usually mandates nice dress, anything from business casual to formal evening wear (Dallas Symphony Orchestra Website). At my concert while there were many people in beautiful attire, there were actually an equal amount in t-shirts or jeans, and many in business wear. A patron I spoke to attributed this both to the show type (popular music) and to the day of the week; with it being on a weekday there is simply less time for many people to dress up (Attendees of Concert). However, on weekends and especially for more classical performances, dress is key. Another surprisingly important element, in my experience, was wine/alcohol. I estimated over 80% of the attendees enjoyed some of the alcoholic offerings before the concert while socializing (The Music of Pink Floyd). The same was true during the intermission; bathrooms were easy to use but the line for the wine bars were out the door! This provides yet another bonding element for the culture to share and socialize over. Finally, the performance hall itself is a distinguishing cultural factor of the DSO from other cultures and symphonies. The Meyerson is elaborate, ornate, and built to best enhance sound (Dallas Symphony Orchestra Website), and as the host to most DSO events is a key part of the culture.

CONCLUSION

The DSO is a complex and diverse culture, and there is no way the past 1400 words did it justice. Subcultures exist within it, and there are many more activities than just these, but I hope this was at least a good introduction to it. The themes of importance of presentation, socialization, and wide repertoires played in a symphonic context are key to this culture. If you’re curious about anything else, check out the website or even go see a performance! The DSO is a unique culture within the metroplex and a distinct member of the greater symphony culture from others throughout the world.

Works Cited

Attendees of Dallas Symphony Orchestra concert. Personal Interviews. 3 Mar. 2010.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Website. Dallas Symphony Orchestra, 2009. Web. 8 Mar. 2010.

The Music of Pink Floyd. Perf. Dallas Symphony Orchestra with Randy Jackson. Cond. Jaap van Zweden. Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas. Concert. 3 Mar. 2010.